Vascular access systems and methods of use

Abstract

A vascular access system and method of use for said system. The vascular access system generally comprises a body member; a shuttle member movably coupled to the body member; and a plurality of access needles fixedly coupled to the shuttle member and extending from the body member to penetrate a patient's skin.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 769,664, filed on Feb. 26, 2013, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]The invention generally relates to systems and methods for vascular access. More particularly, the invention relates to systems and methods for assisting medical practitioners in achieving vascular access in a rapid and consistent manner.[0003]Typically, blood vessels or other hollow organs are accessed by practicing the Seldinger technique. In the Seldinger technique, the desired vessel or cavity is punctured with a sharp hollow needle called a trocar, with ultrasound guidance if necessary. A round-tipped guidewire is then advanced through the lumen of the trocar, and the trocar is withdrawn. A “sheath” or blunt cannula can then be passed over the guidewire into the cavity or vessel. After passing a sheath or tube, the guidewire is withdrawn. Vascular ac...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The inventive vascular access system is designed to allow medical professionals to quickly and safely access blood vessels, such as the femoral artery, without the need for additional monitoring or guidance systems. It consists of a body member, a shuttle member, and multiple access needles that are evenly spaced from each other and designed to optimize spanning of the blood vessel. The system is held against the skin of the patient and the shuttle member is advanced until blood is aspirated from at least one of the needles, indicating successful vascular access. The needle with the most blood aspiration is likely to have accessed a large artery, while less aspiration would likely indicate access to a vein or smaller artery. A guidewire can then be fed through the aspirating needle and into the blood vessel, allowing for the insertion of various medical devices as needed. The vascular access system is easy to use, safe, and can be repeated for multiple procedures. It is useful in settings where standard vascular access techniques may not be possible or practical.

Problems solved by technology

With the inventive vascular access system, vascular access may be achieved by medical professionals in the field or other settings where conditions for practicing standard vascular access techniques, such as the Seldinger technique, may be impractical or impossible.

As such, vascular access may be achieved by medical professionals in the field or other settings where conditions for practicing standard vascular access techniques, such as the Seldinger technique, may be impractical or impossible.

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